Winnipeg | Exchange District | Developments & Discussions

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by TimeFadesAway

So would his plan have involved flooding the area south of Portage, given that a malecon is a paved road or walkway beside a lake or ocean?

No, probably on the north side fronting the sea of parking.

[buzzg]

Also, sorry this wasn't being renovated when I was there last year, but this parkade on Boston's highest profile, high-end shopping street was super cool. Apparently it was abandoned for years and they converted it into parkade. No CRU but it kept a heritage building around and had a narrow footprint so it didn't seem out of place.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.3484859,-..._C2-0fq7hRSMg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

As an aside, has anyone heard or seen anything from the city regarding all the Chinatown streetscaping improvements that didn't happen that were supposed to this past fall? They redid the sidewalk on King but there were supposed to be huge improvements to lighting, signage, and furniture. Also, I noticed that a lot of the projects that were being funded under the Streetfront Improvement Program (or whatever it was called) didn't happen. The only one that I think was actually finished was The List.

[Urban recluse]

The Boston parking garage is very nice.


I, too, was wondering about the storefront improvements. Out of all the ones granted funding, how many have been completed?

http://m.metronews.ca/#/article/news/win...ce-up-exchange-district-storefronts.html

[esquire]

Article in today's WFP has different sides playing the blame game over the decision to potentially demolish the PSB... Wyatt is livid over the fact that the City has an empty office tower to fill next to the new WPS HQ is a factor in demolishing the PSB... and I'd say that he has a point.

Anyway, UM architecture prof and modernism expert Serena Keshavjee has spoken out on preserving the PSB on the basis that it's a brutalism masterpiece.

I agree with her that the building is architecturally distinguished, but in my view it's also awkward for its site, falling apart and not particularly well suited to readaption. Sometimes with heritage preservation you have to pick your battles and I'm not convinced that this one is worth the fight, especially given the redevelopment potential of the site.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/psb-demolition-plan-draws-fire-371357441.html

[bomberjet]

The only part of the PSB worth saving, over any sort of architectural style, is the limestone cladding. Which gives it that brutalist styling. That also happens to be the piece that's falling off the building as it is. Note the sheltered sidewalk around the exterior. Otherwise it's a square box, made of steel and concrete. Whoopy.

I wouldn't be too sad to see the whole complex demo'd.

[esquire]

^ It's one thing if the heritage building in question is in solid shape and can be readapted without too much expense and fuss, but the PSB would inevitably be a costly project. I don't think the City really should take something like that on, and I'm not sure who else would.

[bomberjet]

^Well that's just it. If the City wanted to renovate the building for another use, the cladding would need to be dealt with. Likely be very expensive or they would've fixed it up already. Can't remember what the costs were when it was talked about a few years back.

With the Cities track record lately, I wouldn't want them to undertake such a task. It could only end in disaster, financially, for the City.

[Biff]

^^^about $80 million to fully renovate which was much to expensive. The City then proceeded to spend $200+ million for the new PSB.

[Urban recluse]

Notwithstanding the fact that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the structure is hideous, cold, and screams: stay away; people need to be drawn out to the area, developers inspired to invest in the area. The turn of the century architecture the city boasts far outweighs brutalist architecture any day of the week; take a poll and I am confident the public would agree, save the minority who cry for preservation of pure exposed concrete. When it comes down to dollars, whatever money the city would spend to restore the building would be better spent transforming the site into one that has street level activity, is inviting and brings color to the otherwise dreary atmosphere.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by Biff

^^^about $80 million to fully renovate which was much to expensive. The City then proceeded to spend $200+ million for the new PSB.

Lol touche, I think! New PSB is larger and more functional than the old one, I presume.

[Cyro]

These are the last figures I was aware of from a previous study, costs have likely increased..

Originally Posted by Cyro

Just a few additional facts on the PSB form earlier studies in 2014 at the cost of aprx: 275 K

$40+ Million to refurbish for any other uses..exterior cladding, etc..

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Biff

^^^about $80 million to fully renovate which was much to expensive. The City then proceeded to spend $200+ million for the new PSB.

In hindsight clearly it was a stupid decision and the likely demolition of the PSB is just part of the price that will have to be paid. But the damage has been done.

[Urban recluse]

Demolition is going to happen based on the vibe I sense from Bowman. Moving forward, I hope the correct development of the site plays out.

[buzzg]

I wonder if the portion of the land that has a caveat on it was given to RRC for a new building, and RRC "decided" to put CRUs all along William with whatever department they put there behind/above them, if that would satisfy it. I think that'd be amazing: get CRUs, land is still being used by a public institution, and RRC could use the rents of the CRUs to offset some of the costs/future maintenance of the building.

[crocket]

Originally Posted by BigG

What do you think of converting The Bay to a boutique hotel? (I know it's not in the same area) but wouldn't it be grand?

I think the building is too big but I would agree Wpg needs a nice boutique hotel. A condo project like the Bay building in Victoria (The Hudson) would be cool. It has an amazing public market on the main floor, high-end lofts above.

http://www.condosvictoriabc.com/hudson-ultra-modern-living-wrapped-history

http://victoriapublicmarket.com/

[Urban recluse]

I just discovered one of the plans for the Galpern building was to convert it into a hotel. The numbers did not work.

[Kinguni]

How about building a replica of the old pubic market on the PSB land?

[Urban recluse]

You know, that could look very cool if done properly. Expensive, but it would be a showpiece.

[biguc]

Add me as a +1 on the old market idea. Perfectly takes care of the footprint that has to be public use, makes sense of the name "Old Market Square", and leaves the rest of the lot free for residential development. It was a pretty small, simple building too, so while it's not the cheapest option, I'm sure it wouldn't be too prohibitively expensive.

[Urban recluse]

As long as it is not adorned with stucco a la the cornices on the Crocus building.